Upcoming Virtual Student Loan Workshops
Do You Have Student Loan Debt?
Student loan debt is one of the most serious financial challenges facing educators today. NEA Member Benefits wants to help! In this webinar, you will learn how to take advantage of the Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs and the new NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator. In addition, we will cover the latest developments on student loans coming out of the CARES Act and the COVID-19 crisis.
The now FREE NEA Student Debt Navigator helps members determine whether you are eligible for federal student loan forgiveness programs, how much you could potentially reduce your loan debt and keeps you updated on new program features and developments.
The OEA and NEA Member Benefits is hosting two workshops:
Wednesday July 15th and Tuesday July 21st from 9:00-10:00am.
If you would like to join one of these ZOOM meetings, please RSVP here. Once we receive your RSVP, we will send you the zoom meeting sign-in information. Make the most of your union membership by joining this educational workshop and taking advantage of the free resources available to members only.
March with Educators for BLM, June 11, 6pm
Thursday night, many educators are organizing to come together in support of the movement for Black Lives. Please read more below, and consider joining in!
EDUCATORS FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER!
Thursday @ 6:00pm
For many of us, the last day of your school year is on Thursday. Let’s end it by coming together in support of Black Lives Matter!
- A mask
- Wear all black or wear Black Lives Matter gear. Bring signs.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring appropriate gear for weather conditions
- Extra “safety” gear: hand sanitizer, sunglasses or protection for eyes
- Organizers have provided snacks and water but you may want to bring your own
- If you can, bring a buddy
- Having protective eyewear
- An extra mask
- Hand sanitizer
- A buddy to walk with
- Check yourself - we take our cues from the BLM organizers.
PAT Statement Concerning the Murder of George Floyd
June 1, 2020
As the Portland Association of Teachers, we believe Black Lives Matter. We stand with all Black educators, all Black families, all Black students, and all Black communities against injustice.
Our hearts are broken. George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was murdered by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020. The needless and brutal killing of Black people in this country is a crime against humanity. This type of brutality has existed since the founding of this country, and it is abhorrent and unacceptable.
We must do everything in our power as educators to address the insidiousness of racism and white supremacy. As the President of the National Education Association, Lily Eskelsen García said in a statement released on May 27th, 2020, “This is no time for us to look away. Police violence against Black people happens too often. The threat and real violence toward Black people daring to exist in public spaces and even in their own homes is the direct result of how white supremacy culture is the air we breathe in America.”
It is our duty, our responsibility, to honor and uplift the lives of Black people, to nurture the young people we are entrusted with educating, to teach the truth about the injustices that run like a river through our country's history. As a predominantly white group of educators, we must do better. We must be braver. We must be committed to being actively anti-racist and we must hold each other accountable to that never-ending, ongoing work.
PAT stands in solidarity with all those in Minneapolis and across America’s cities who demand justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and all of the other Black lives that have been taken due to racist violence.
As educators, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to take action with our own practice. Here are recommendations from NEA: 5 ways to address bias in your school.
With our students, we must teach the truth about the injustices in our society. Here are some anti-racism resources for teachers:
NEA: Black Live Matter at School Resources
AFT: Teaching about Race and Racism
If you are able to give financially, here are some opportunities to lend support:
George Floyd Family's GoFundMe
The Advocate, February 26, 2020
The Advocate, February 26, 2020
- President’s Message: Everyone Counts in the Census
- PAT Election Results
- PAT PAC Endorsements for the 2020 Primary for Oregon Legislature
- Bargaining Proposal Showcase: March 16th and 18th
- PPS Budget Watch - Call for Volunteers!
- Understanding the Unassignment Process
- K-5 Report Card Redesign
- OEA Symposium: White-Allyship, Saturday March 14th
- PDX Women's March: Sunday, March 1st
- New Educator Social: Friday, March 13th
- California Casualty Art Challenge
- Join Us for these Upcoming Events!
The Advocate, January 29, 2020
The Advocate, January 29, 2020
- President’s Message: Your Voice, Your Vote
- PAT Nominations and Elections Committee Report
- Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action: February 3rd – 7th
- OEA PAC Convention: March 6th and 7th
- Happy Retirement, Kathi Koenig!
- Want to Know More about LETRS Professional Development or the Oregon Kids Read Petition?
- OEA Workshops: Helping Students Take the Lead in Assessments
- SSA Community Conversation: Latin@ Students and Families
- Join Us for these Upcoming Events!
Information for Parent Conferences
Download the Conferences Guidelines Flyer
Below are some general guidelines for parent conferences:
Continue readingNew Superintendent for PPS
On behalf of the approximately 4,000 educators in the Portland Association of Teachers, I want to express how pleased I am that PPS has filled the vacant Superintendent position with the hiring of Guadalupe Guerrero. The characteristics we were looking for in a candidate included an individual with experience as an educator, someone who understands the problems with current education reform agendas, and leader with a history of positive interaction with unions. It is our hope that our new Superintendent possesses these qualities.
We are disappointed that the school board did not give Portland educators or their representatives in the PAT a meaningful role in this decision-making process. While PAT did agree to participate as part of a “stakeholder group” to interview four finalist candidates, our feedback was not communicated directly to the school board, nor were we given an opportunity to influence the board’s decision.
We are dedicated to building a positive relationship with the new Superintendent, and working with him and the new school board to settle a fair contract, strengthen all our schools, and build a more equitable school system that gives every student the opportunities and supports they need regardless of their zip code. We also hope the new superintendent will rebuild an accountable and efficient leadership structure in the district, and commit to transparent decision-making and a collaborative relationship with educators, students, and families.
Moving forward, we hope district leaders recognize that in order to enact positive change in our district, it is essential that the District seeks out and values the voice of educators.
Suzanne Cohen, President